Diagnostic Tools for ADD/ADHD

Solution Preview

1. Is there a simple test to diagnose AD/HD?

No; unfortunately, there is no simple test (like a blood test or a short written test) to determine whether someone has AD/HD. This is true of many medical conditions (for example, there is no "test" for a simple headache, yet anyone who has had a headache knows it's real!). However, there is a series of questions and/or tools that are sued to diagnose ADHD, such as a behavioral checklist (see link below).

2. What is involved in the diagnostic process?

Accurate diagnosis is made only by a trained clinician after an extensive evaluation. This evaluation should include ruling out other possible causes for the symptoms involved, a thorough physical examination, and a series of interviews with the individual (child or adult) and other key persons in the individual's life (for example, parents, spouse, teachers, ...